Can’t-Miss Summer Events

During our monthly staff brainstorming session, a simple question popped up: What are the best horsepower events that every CC reader should experience before taking the big dirt nap?

After a small fight, we decided that each of us would pick our own top 10, and even if we hadn’t been to a particular event but knew for sure that we’d really dig it, the event was allowed on our list. Check out the following must-do’s. (Note: Items aren’t ranked in any particular order.)

Cook’s Cool Car Events

1.Fabulous Fords Forever at Knott’s Berry Farm
As one of the biggest single-day car shows we know of, Knotts attracts every conceivable type of Ford there is-there are usually more than 1,500 cars. Contact Fabulous Fords Forever, 714/530-8993

2. Bloomington Gold Corvette Show
The absolute granddaddy of all Corvette shows, Bloomington has been going on for more than 20 years. Contact Bloomington Gold, 888/424-6531

4. Local Cruise Nights
During the summer months, lots of cities have some sort of gearhead happening every night of the week. Contact: A local gearhead who knows where the cruisin’ is.

5. NHRA Winternationals
It’s the first race of the season, hopes are high, new cars and teams debut, and most of the old cars have a new look for the year. Contact: NHRA, 626/914-4761, www.nhraonline.com

6. Reno Air Races
Vintage warbirds screaming at nearly 500 mph only a few hundred feet off the ground is a visual that no car event can ever hope to live up to. The ’99 race is set for Sept. 16-19. Contact: Reno Air Racing Association, Dept. CC, P.O. Box 1429, Reno, NV 89505, 702/972-6663, www.airrace.org

10. Daytona 500
With the Indy 500 serving as the rope for the CART/IRL tug-o-war, Daytona has replaced it as the premiere American motorsports event. Contact: www.nascar.com or Daytona International Speedway, Dept. CC, P.O. Box 2081, Daytona Beach, FL 32120, 904/253-7223

Kiewicz’s Kool Kar Events

1.NHRA U.S. Nationals
If you’re looking for the ultimate bang-for-the-buck, the U.S. Nationals in Indy packs the most in drag racing mayhem. Plus, Thursday night is the CC All-Star Drag Racing Team banquet, and Friday there’s way-cool nighttime qualifying with flames. Contact: NHRA, 626/914-4761, www.nhraonline.com

2. Indy 500
Sure, it’s kind of a “B” race now that CART and IRL are squabbling, but nonetheless, you still gotta experience a 500. Contact Indianapolis Motor Speedway, 317/484-6700, www.brickyard.com

3. Virginia City Hill Climb
It takes place on a super-steep, super-narrow, super-treacherous sprig of bypass road leading from outside Carson City, Nevada, to the old-time mining town of Virginia City. Severe dropoffs combined with 150-plus-mph speeds equals great fun. Contact: Ferrari Club of America, 925/820-1664

5. Pikes Peak Hill Climb
Each July 4, watching race vehicles with way too much power negotiating a narrow dirt road on a 14,000-foot mountain brings an awesome adrenaline rush for spectators. If you truly like danger, Pikes Peak is for you. Contact Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, 719/685-4400, www.ppinc.com

7. 24 Hours Of LeMans
One car, multiple drivers, one windshield wiper, and 1,440 minutes of all-out racing-LeMans is the best and most historically significant endurance race you’ll ever see. Contact: A Frenchman

10. Hot August Nights
If you’re really into the ’40s, ’50s, and ’60s cars, then Hot August Nights is for you. Over 5,000 of them jam the streets of Reno, Nevada, for a week. Contact: Hot August Nights, 702/356-1956, www.hotaugustnights.net

6. Hot Rod Power Tour
See the USA in your Chevrolet (or Ford, or Mopar). This annual event is a neat way to cruise your street machine across this beautiful country with like-minded fellow car crafters. Contract: Petersen Special Events, 323/782-2831, www.petersenevents.com/touring_events/te_f.html

2. Pomona Swap Meet
It’s the West Coast’s largest swap, and it happens just about every-other month at the Fairplex in Pomona, California-site of the NHRA Winternationals and World Finals. Contact: George Cross & Sons, 714/832-2041

4. U.S. Nationals
Even if Pro drags aren’t your thing, the sheer volume of competitors is as stifling as a pair of lungs full o’ nitro. Contact: NHRA, 626/914-4761, www.nhraonline.com

5. Power Tour
As little as Hot Rod needs more hype, the Power Tour is just what this hobby needed. The annual cross-country drive forced many show car weenies to drive their junk for the glory. Contact: Petersen Special Events, 800/858-6381

6. NMCA Memphis
Memphis is the birthplace of National Musclecar Association street racing, and the Memphis show is a jaw-dropper for any street-legal race fan. Violate your parole to get there. Contact: National Musclecar Association, 323/782-2341

8. Off-Road Races In Crandon, WI
It’s the biggest closed-course race and beer-bongin’ campout in the country. Hang out for the Good Ol’ Boy races where junkyard refugee cars duke it out on dirt 50 at a time, tires-high and screamin’. Contact: Crandon International Off-Road Raceway, Dept. CC, P.O. Box 101, Crandon, WI 54520, 888/611-6092

10. Neighborhood Cruise
It’s easy, it’s where your buddies are, and when it comes down to it, local cruise nights can end up being some of your fondest memories. Contact: Someone in town who knows where to go.

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